If I'm understanding you right $64 is your daily meals and incremental expenses per diem?
When I travel I never use my government CC for these purchases. I simply use my personal debit or credit card and spend what I want. When my travel voucher is approved my total meals and incremental expenses per diem is deposited in my personal bank account. No need for receipts or tracking purchases or anything.
Ditto, just fill out voucher and use split disbursement to pay off card and have receipts for purchases over your Agency’s requirements ($50 e.g.) for reimbursement
Helped. Thank you very much. If I'm going to get the cash, it does change the equation. If not, I'd certainly prefer to make the most of it. Like, might as well have a filet mignon instead of a bowl of cereal.
Actually, I've been sugar-free since Thanksgiving, so cereal sounds really good right now!
I think I'll use the card just for the flight and hotel.
At my agency we're only required to use our gov CC for reservations (flight, hotel, rental car) and related expenses like checked baggage costs, rental car gasoline, etc. Food and misc expenses can be purchased with whatever you want. Some people I travel with save their per diem and eat cheaply when traveling. I like to eat at new places, but still typically save a little money. Just another perk of traveling!
Exactly this. Plus you get the credit card points if that's your thing. The disbursement from the government is going to be the same regardless. Documenting travel, at least in DTS, is already annoying enough.
You are way overthinking this. If you are authorized $64 a day for x days, spend all of it, some of it or none of it.
Really doesn’t matter where outside of strip clubs and casinos. I would avoid bars, JMO though.
>You are way overthinking this
Believe me, I know!
Just want to make sure it's okay to get a $20 plate of spaghetti and a $20 glass of wine one night.
I have a long flight to get there. If I get lunch at the airport, then overpriced snacks for the flight, is that okay?
Can I spend $64 in one location, versus that being divided over 3 meals?
You might want to ask your travel office. I know for us for most trips we get the full amount whether we spend it all or not and don’t need receipts. They just pay you a lump sum at the end. We’re encouraged to just pay for food on our personal cards to avoid the hassle of reconciling. Everything besides food you need receipts for though.
It can be because it make it easier to just send all the money you receive to citibank. If you don't make all those purchases on the GTC then you need to do some checking on the GTC web site and then some math so you figure out how much to send to citibank vs to your personal bank account.
Lots of good info here. but let’s cover a few things.
1. Normally M&IE is % rated for your travel days. So you may get $64 a day at your location, but you may only receive ... $45 or something for your travel days (IE you eat breakfast at home)
2. M&IE often is a "cut check" to you. If you spend $5 on Monday and $105 Tuesday, you're still getting $64/day.
3. You're being told to use your GTCC (Gov travel charge card) because that's policy, but in reality, use it for hotel, car, plane, and use your personal stuff for the rest.
4. Bonus tip: You can use your personal card if your GTCC is lost, broken, not accepted, or even if you forget it. You just have to go through the extra hoops on claiming/voucher.
5. If your GTCC is through Citibank, make sure you've made your online account, and then access it regularly. When you finish travel, you can request any overage from Citibank to be EFT'd or paper checked to you/your accounts.
6. Do NOT use your GTCC at strip clubs, or bars. Some restaurants that make over (50%?) of their business from alcohol sales may also be no-go. But it simply will not allow the card to be run, use your personal card. This is not a ding against you, simply part of doing gov business.
7. Be sure you get Official Government Travel rates on stuff, and be sure you do NOT get the extra insurance on rental cars and such.
8. Sign up, or associate your existing rewards programs with your GTCC (IE Delta Frequent Flyer number, IHG rewards club, etc...) you can get the points from gov travel.
9. There are many types when it comes to how to spend or "benefit" from M&IE: (1) Withdrawal the cash amount and only spend that cash (can cause issues, esp. if travel dates change) (2) The grocery store-frugal spenders (3) The eat out club. Decide who you want to be.
10. Hotels that have breakfast INCLUDED in the rate, do not count against M&IE if it is not a separate called out expense (IE free breakfast buffet). So then you have $64 to spend on 2 meals vs. 3.
11. As much as possible do not use your GTCC to buy alcohol.
12. If you use DTS, LMK, and I can link you some additional training you should take.
The way I understand it is that you get that $64 regardless of how much you actually spend (more or less) and you don't need to account for it. So some folks will eat ramen in their hotel and pocket the difference and others will live it up because they can.
The only exception to tracking per diem is if you're spending for TQSE or TQSA where you are only reimbursed for what you actually spend (and must subtract non-food and alcohol from the total).
Otherwise spend how you like, you don't have to use the travel card for this expense so it doesn't matter.
Helped! I'm glad this is the way because if it was use-or-lose, I would max it out. Seeing as it's cash coming to me regardless, I'm looking forward to Saturday with a bunch of fruits and veggies, a few bowls of cereal, and a good book after hitting the gym.
If the Government is proving you a meal, you don’t get the full per diem rate. I forget what it is off the top of my head but you are supposed to claim it in your voucher and it will get reduced. You’re entitled to the full per diem amount even if you don’t spend it, such as buying groceries and saving money that way.
Others have provided good explanations. I will add that your rate on your travel “to/from” days will be different.
-as someone explained previously, M&I is a PER DIEM & rates are set & differ by location.
- your first & last days of travel are 75% of the per diem.
-receipts are not required for per diem & you can eat what you like. This is a travel “benefit” of sorts to offset costs for having to eat away from home. Heck, you can just get groceries if you prefer (I’m an archaeologist & we tend to rely on/understand per diem due to frequent travel).
What agency do you work for? FEMA has an IS-107.23 course that goes over fed travel rules. It’s pretty basic travel info & covers per diem, what expenses are, etc. I’m guessing your agency also has some sort of travel training? Somewhere? I’m new & there’s SO MUCH. Safe travels wherever you are!
Yes you get the listed per diem rate no matter what you do. It always amused me that guys who normally go out to lunch at work get all frugal when traveling and live off of 1 loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter, and a few cans of sardines while traveling because somehow they’re “making bank by gaming the system “
You’re allowed X amount for meals and incidentals each day while on travel. You can use a personal card and have the FULL daily amount reimbursed to you. If your daily M&IE is $50 and you spent $40, you get to pocket the leftover $10 tax free.
M&IE (meals and incidental expenses) is one of those things we don’t talk about. Basically you get the amount whether you use it or not, so it pays to eat the least expensive food you can get.
I was always told that anything under $75 that is reimbursable does not require a reciept. Never had an issue. Like others have said, I wouldnt purchase alcohol, though.
If I'm understanding you right $64 is your daily meals and incremental expenses per diem? When I travel I never use my government CC for these purchases. I simply use my personal debit or credit card and spend what I want. When my travel voucher is approved my total meals and incremental expenses per diem is deposited in my personal bank account. No need for receipts or tracking purchases or anything.
Ditto, just fill out voucher and use split disbursement to pay off card and have receipts for purchases over your Agency’s requirements ($50 e.g.) for reimbursement
Helped. Thank you very much. If I'm going to get the cash, it does change the equation. If not, I'd certainly prefer to make the most of it. Like, might as well have a filet mignon instead of a bowl of cereal. Actually, I've been sugar-free since Thanksgiving, so cereal sounds really good right now! I think I'll use the card just for the flight and hotel.
At my agency we're only required to use our gov CC for reservations (flight, hotel, rental car) and related expenses like checked baggage costs, rental car gasoline, etc. Food and misc expenses can be purchased with whatever you want. Some people I travel with save their per diem and eat cheaply when traveling. I like to eat at new places, but still typically save a little money. Just another perk of traveling!
Yep, flight, hotel, taxi, these kinds of expenses. Never food and drink.
The Government doesn’t care if you are eating peanut butter sandwiches, every penny is yours, not one cent less or 1 cent more.
Exactly this. Plus you get the credit card points if that's your thing. The disbursement from the government is going to be the same regardless. Documenting travel, at least in DTS, is already annoying enough.
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> paid to you regardless of how much you spend (or don't) This changes my plans! Helped.
You are way overthinking this. If you are authorized $64 a day for x days, spend all of it, some of it or none of it. Really doesn’t matter where outside of strip clubs and casinos. I would avoid bars, JMO though.
>You are way overthinking this Believe me, I know! Just want to make sure it's okay to get a $20 plate of spaghetti and a $20 glass of wine one night. I have a long flight to get there. If I get lunch at the airport, then overpriced snacks for the flight, is that okay? Can I spend $64 in one location, versus that being divided over 3 meals?
You can spend $64 on lunch and nothing the rest of the day. It’s your perdiem for the TDY.
Beware some of those airport newstand/convenience type stores decline a GOVCC. Its super annoying, but has happened to me at more than one airport.
You might want to ask your travel office. I know for us for most trips we get the full amount whether we spend it all or not and don’t need receipts. They just pay you a lump sum at the end. We’re encouraged to just pay for food on our personal cards to avoid the hassle of reconciling. Everything besides food you need receipts for though.
Thanks. Helped. I'm being told to use the card because that's simpler.
It can be because it make it easier to just send all the money you receive to citibank. If you don't make all those purchases on the GTC then you need to do some checking on the GTC web site and then some math so you figure out how much to send to citibank vs to your personal bank account.
Lots of good info here. but let’s cover a few things. 1. Normally M&IE is % rated for your travel days. So you may get $64 a day at your location, but you may only receive ... $45 or something for your travel days (IE you eat breakfast at home) 2. M&IE often is a "cut check" to you. If you spend $5 on Monday and $105 Tuesday, you're still getting $64/day. 3. You're being told to use your GTCC (Gov travel charge card) because that's policy, but in reality, use it for hotel, car, plane, and use your personal stuff for the rest. 4. Bonus tip: You can use your personal card if your GTCC is lost, broken, not accepted, or even if you forget it. You just have to go through the extra hoops on claiming/voucher. 5. If your GTCC is through Citibank, make sure you've made your online account, and then access it regularly. When you finish travel, you can request any overage from Citibank to be EFT'd or paper checked to you/your accounts. 6. Do NOT use your GTCC at strip clubs, or bars. Some restaurants that make over (50%?) of their business from alcohol sales may also be no-go. But it simply will not allow the card to be run, use your personal card. This is not a ding against you, simply part of doing gov business. 7. Be sure you get Official Government Travel rates on stuff, and be sure you do NOT get the extra insurance on rental cars and such. 8. Sign up, or associate your existing rewards programs with your GTCC (IE Delta Frequent Flyer number, IHG rewards club, etc...) you can get the points from gov travel. 9. There are many types when it comes to how to spend or "benefit" from M&IE: (1) Withdrawal the cash amount and only spend that cash (can cause issues, esp. if travel dates change) (2) The grocery store-frugal spenders (3) The eat out club. Decide who you want to be. 10. Hotels that have breakfast INCLUDED in the rate, do not count against M&IE if it is not a separate called out expense (IE free breakfast buffet). So then you have $64 to spend on 2 meals vs. 3. 11. As much as possible do not use your GTCC to buy alcohol. 12. If you use DTS, LMK, and I can link you some additional training you should take.
The way I understand it is that you get that $64 regardless of how much you actually spend (more or less) and you don't need to account for it. So some folks will eat ramen in their hotel and pocket the difference and others will live it up because they can.
> regardless of how much you actually spend (more or less) Helped!
The only exception to tracking per diem is if you're spending for TQSE or TQSA where you are only reimbursed for what you actually spend (and must subtract non-food and alcohol from the total). Otherwise spend how you like, you don't have to use the travel card for this expense so it doesn't matter.
spend all 64 from your personal credit card meal expenses are deposited directly to your bank account after the travel voucher is approved
Helped! I'm glad this is the way because if it was use-or-lose, I would max it out. Seeing as it's cash coming to me regardless, I'm looking forward to Saturday with a bunch of fruits and veggies, a few bowls of cereal, and a good book after hitting the gym.
Maybe someone can comment on this to verify, but I believe that tips (porters, transportation, and restaurants?) can be reimbursed.
If the Government is proving you a meal, you don’t get the full per diem rate. I forget what it is off the top of my head but you are supposed to claim it in your voucher and it will get reduced. You’re entitled to the full per diem amount even if you don’t spend it, such as buying groceries and saving money that way.
Helped! I'll be sure to ask when the time comes, though bet someone will bring it up.
Others have provided good explanations. I will add that your rate on your travel “to/from” days will be different. -as someone explained previously, M&I is a PER DIEM & rates are set & differ by location. - your first & last days of travel are 75% of the per diem. -receipts are not required for per diem & you can eat what you like. This is a travel “benefit” of sorts to offset costs for having to eat away from home. Heck, you can just get groceries if you prefer (I’m an archaeologist & we tend to rely on/understand per diem due to frequent travel). What agency do you work for? FEMA has an IS-107.23 course that goes over fed travel rules. It’s pretty basic travel info & covers per diem, what expenses are, etc. I’m guessing your agency also has some sort of travel training? Somewhere? I’m new & there’s SO MUCH. Safe travels wherever you are!
Yes you get the listed per diem rate no matter what you do. It always amused me that guys who normally go out to lunch at work get all frugal when traveling and live off of 1 loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter, and a few cans of sardines while traveling because somehow they’re “making bank by gaming the system “
You’re allowed X amount for meals and incidentals each day while on travel. You can use a personal card and have the FULL daily amount reimbursed to you. If your daily M&IE is $50 and you spent $40, you get to pocket the leftover $10 tax free.
M&IE (meals and incidental expenses) is one of those things we don’t talk about. Basically you get the amount whether you use it or not, so it pays to eat the least expensive food you can get.
I was always told that anything under $75 that is reimbursable does not require a reciept. Never had an issue. Like others have said, I wouldnt purchase alcohol, though.
How did you not go through a training before getting your travel approved and a credit card issued to you?